I have paragard and i have never been pregnant.
it works extremely well for me. There is no longer of an issue with childless women and IUD.
My period has actually shortened by about half a day compared to before. There is slight increase in cramps from none (less than 15 minutes total every month) before to a little (random cramps lasting 5-10 minutes here and there, 3 days a month), but occasional ibprofene and hot bubble bath deals with it. I get the cramps during ovulation, not before my period anymore, I thought that was interesting.
However, I always had very regular period and minimal cramps. I think people with bad cramps normally and a lot of bleeding is not recommended for this method?
Mine was paid for by California FamilyPACT, so it was completely free for me since I am a student and have no income. I got it from Planned Parenthood, the one which I used to work at. They gave me an appointment card to come back in like 2019.
I do not have reservation with IUD like many American women do since my mom has had an IUD since I was born. Almost all Chinese women use IUD. The pills made me majorly bitchy and crazy hungry like i was smoking pot every day. and SUPER pimply! (that was the deal breaker) I was fed up with it after 3 months. I also have a perpetual fear for hormones. I don't eat pork with estrogen why should I eat estrogen...
My boyfriend says the string pokes him sometimes....I think I can get it cut down more.. but.. honestly, i just don't care that he gets poked a little.
I think BC you really just need to try. It's hard to say. I was so scared after I got IUD inserted because I had such a perfect cycle every month, and there are obviously people who had horro stories.. The up side is i got it for free, so it's not really a loss to me if it really didn't work out.
That's all of my two cents.
Edited by op007 (02/24/10 12:34 AM)